Batting

FULLERTON, Calif. –Lauren Mario belted her second and third home run of the season to propel the Titans to a 10-2 win over Charleston Southern on Friday night at Anderson Family Field. Cal State Fullerton moves to 10-12 on the season and improves to 2-1 in the Long Beach State Invitational.

The Titans got an early lead in the bottom of the first inning after an RBI sacrifice fly from sophomore Desiree Ybarra scored Ashley Carter from second to give the Titans a 1-0 lead. The Titans extended their lead in the bottom of the second after Melissa Sechrest hit a home run to center field, her fourth of the season, giving the Titans a 2-0 lead. The Titans would add two more runs in the second after a throwing error by the Charleston Southern catcher.

Charleston Southern would add a run in the top of third off an RBI sacrifice fly from Stephanie Sbardella scoring Melanie Stickney from third cutting the Titan lead to 4-1. However, the Titans wouldn't let the Buccaneers comeback as second baseman Lauren Mario hit a two-run home run to left field giving the Titans a four run advantage. Fullerton would close out the game scoring four runs in the bottom of the sixth giving them the victory. Lauren Mario belted her second home run of the game and Kaily Mertz recorded her first career hit and RBI in the bottom of the sixth.

Jasmine Antunez tossed three innings giving up one run off one hit, while striking out six. Senior Katey Laban relieved Antunez in the fourth inning throwing two innings while giving up one run off two hits, and Desiree Ybarra pitched a perfect sixth inning, striking out one batter.

Jennifer Giles (1-10) recorded the loss for Charleston Southern after throwing 5 2/3 innings giving up 10 runs, eight earned, off 13 hits. Giles issued four walks and struck out two batters.

Tiffany Sheffler was 2-for-2, Ariel Tsuchiyama was 1-for-3 with a run scored and Ashley Carter contributed two hits and a RBI. Trea Steele was 1-for-2 with a run scored and Stephanie Sbardella added two RBI's for the Buccaneers as they fall to 4-12 on the year.

Cal State Fullerton returns to action tomorrow at Anderson Family Field to face the University of Utah and Idaho State University. First pitch is at 2 p.m.